Libre Euphoria: Roy G Biv Style

Interested in a little cheap therapy? Forget Dewey Decimal!  After tackling multiple organizational projects in recent weeks, I’ve grown particularly fond of the euphoria associated with Roy G. Biv.  If you’ve been out of middle school for a while and have forgotten this mnemonic for the color spectrum, here it is: RED.ORANGE.YELLOW.GREEN.BLUE.INDIGO.VIOLET.  I first rearranged my dresser drawers and closet in the order of the spectrum.  Opening the drawers of my dresser is uber pleasing to the eyes.  I’ve discarded and donated so many pieces of clothing that the remaining inventory is much easier managed.  Especially, with the “rolled” shirts positioned in ROY G. BIV fashion.  

                                     

While perusing the April 2012 Redbook magazine, my eyes fell upon a picture of a bookcase arranged in the color spectrum.  GENIUS, I thought! New inspiration trumped my existing project list and revitalized my organizational enthusiasm.  So, here I sit on Day 1 of a 3 Day “Stay-cation” – facing a newly arranged bookcase in my home office.  Roy G. Biv is cathartic.  Try it.  If you consider the traits affiliated with right/left brain dominance – I come out in the middle.  People lovingly tease me for anal tendencies while others pick up on the more creative side. 

“Middle brain” is probably a more accurate descriptor (with perhaps a slight leaning toward left.)   

BEFORE:  revamping my office bookshelves:

• All books shelved by subject matter
• Within each section, books alphabetized by author’s last name
• Corresponding excel spreadsheet on laptop with Title/Category/Author/Notes

"not terrible"..... just blah

  AFTER: revamping office bookshelves:

• All books shelved by color, following ROYGBIV
• Row of White books across the top shelves
•  Row of Black books across the bottom shelves
• Corresponding excel spreadsheet has new column: Spine (color) - indicating location on shelves

To bring out your inner creative librarian, check out: bookshelfporn.com.To easily create your own online “library” –create a free account at librarything.com. (I just started one for kicks – maybe eventually I’ll combine my multi-purpose spreadsheet and the online library.)

Oh …and a bonus:Bookplates that coordinate nicely with my office – and my Kennedy fascination.I created these utilizing Avery mailing labels – much less expensive than bookplates purchased in the past!





My new bookplates - a TLH original!



Portion of revised spreadsheet: title/category/spine color/special notes






Okay, My Marine Son is Home -
no more blogging/organizing!

The Big O Update of the Day: "the bed IS made!"

This is a short post - time right now is best spent in reorganization mode!

It's amazing how your son's bedroom easily transitions into a storage unit once he takes a wife. The door stays closed. No one enters or even catches a glimpse of the well appointed bedroom where your precious little boy once slept every night!

When painters come and wall hangings are stored - it seems the logical option. When winter clothes are switched out for the springtime wardrobe - the perfect place for temporary storage of overflow and excess is just a few doors down the hall. The now vacant bedroom becomes the "in a hurry", "in a pinch", "catch all"!

Today's application point: schedule a pick-up of donations within 48 hours! No matter what distractions or opportunities arise, the foreknowledge of a truck backing up your driveway will motivate you! There are empty boxes lined up, along with a grand supply of lawn bags in Tyler's room - time to fill them with unnecessary clothing and household items!

Update to come! (thanks for all the stories, comments, and ideas shared in the last few days - feel free to share some here for all to see!)

So, here's a pic of Tyler's "still-made" bed! (you can see the headboard if you look closely...it's behind the wall hangings, out of season clothes - and extra fabric from the new valances!) FYI - he would've been seriously grounded if this happened on his watch!

The Big O - Steady Progress & Slaying the Sock Monster!

Well, it's been several days since my last "big o" update....that doesn't mean it's fallen off the priority list.  In fact, in any possible moment at home - I've continued to chip away at my reorg list. In a perfect world, every evening I would've been in project mode from the moment dinner dishes were done until bedtime.... but this is not a perfect world. Life is messy and unpredictable.  (Further incentive for organized living!) 

In the interest of time, here are just a few brief tidbits about recent progress and inspiration:

No less than 40 lawn bags and 20+ boxes have left our home in the last 2 weeks. While a garage sale may have brought in a fraction of the amount initially spent on discards, it didn't seem worth the time and energy investment right now. Quite honestly, it feels good to know others are being aided ....and it was much simpler.  No advertising required - no labeling, pricing, hanging, stacking and haggling with buyers in my driveway. Donations have been bagged, tagged and promptly removed from our home!

I mentioned before that a substantial donation of household items, books, clothes, furniture and small applicances was made to benefit a Mission team going to the Honduras this summer. Watching the UHaul truck leave the base of my driveway with our family's unnecessary items that were stuffed in drawers, closets and the basement - was a great thing! 

Several small items have been given to friends with a large family - books, games and equipment that are in great condition - with much use remaining.  Another dear friend was the benefactor of several magazines...and will remain as such.  Numerous magazines arrive in our mailbox each month - instead of just throwing them away, I'll now give them to a friend who doesn't subscribe to them.  (As she pointed out, they may be a month or two old - but they are still new to her!) 

To cap it off - several boxes and bags of clothes that have been lingering in our closets for too long are now in the hands of homeless women vets. Five members of  BSMA GA Chapter 1 - went to Columbus this weekend for a Veteran Stand down.  It was a truly humbling experience on many levels.  Women who once served our country in the military and are now struggling - have benefitted from the closet chaos accumulated in recent years. It was well worth the fully packed car and 2 hour drive to bless those ladies! (Thank you thyroid -  for the many variations, sizes and shapes my form has taken!)

In closing, let's talk about the Sock Monster.  You know how over time, an army of socks of all sizes and colors disappears at the hand of that invisible yet existent tyrant, who frustrates moms and little league coaches, and eeks his way into plenty of marital discussions.  Several years ago, I decided it was foolish to put single/random socks out of the dryer into my family's bedrooms.  If a rogue sock appeared - it was tossed into a basket on the top shelf of my laundry room.  Granted, every now and then, the basket is dumped on the kitchen table and the rogue socks are often united with their long lost companion.  It has become clear lately that not all socks are so fortunate.  Without a doubt, many are eternally separated from their match having been left at camps, gyms, school, sleepovers, hotels, etc.  Oftentimes, those long remaining spinsters have been tossed in to the trash.   What was I thinking???

When your'e ready to slay the sock monster - and come away victorious, sift through your loners and place the longstanding rebels in a shipping box and seal it with packing tape.  All you have to do is figure out which mailing address to use.  There are a multitude of non-profits that DESIRE random socks.  If your heart is for amputees (veteran or civilian) - there are a multitude of places to send your single socks.  If your  heart is for children, maybe you'll want to send your single socks to a children's hospital, children's ministry, orphanage, or even local schools to be used as sock puppets for teaching or for bringing smiles. If you're an animal lover, you'll be interested to know that several wildlife organizations utilize random socks as feeders for birds and other wildlife.  The United Way even accepts unpaired socks for educational programs for families.  Diabetes treatment centers will often accept orphaned socks - and of course, our homeless shelters are overflowing with people with cares far greater than coordinated stockings.... they are in need of warmth.  Where your heart is.... your unusable socks may follow! 

Here are just a few of many available options - search online for an opportunity that appeals to you:

(http://californiaagnet.com/pages/landing_news?UC-Wildlife-Research-Team-Seeks-Single-S=1&blockID=576390&feedID=2523

http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs066/1102030424807/archive/1102310135426.html

http://www.oddshoe.org/contribute.php


Well, I've accomplished far more than the above in recent days - but I feel best about the ways others may benefit from my spring cleaning.  Try it - it's far easier, less time consuming and helps a myriad of others who may need assistance. 

More to come....Soon, I promise.  (I've got pictures - mine and some from friends and family to share!)  Keep motivated - I am. 

t

The Big O - Look for "Win-Wins"

Well, the last few days have hit our family with more than one "surprise".... I'd like to say they are all the best kind - but that would be dishonest.  Life doesn't stop when trials come, but we adapt and keep moving forward.  With every hit, we learn more about ourselves; the strength of our family; the depth of our faith; the value of friendship - and the infinite value of prayer, and the often discounted value of rest.  Quite honestly, in times like these - "order" is of greater signifcance than in times of "no drama."

Again, not much time to elaborate personally today, but organizational baby steps are still happening.  With a packed weekend in front of us - the baby steps will continue for a few days.  It's funny - but there is something strangely comforting about seeing personal progress toward a goal - that brings a bit of satisfaction, even in the midst of chaos. 
As I shared the last time, scheduling a "pick up" of donations is a great way to motivate one in the process of "clutter removal!"  With all that has been going on this week, my inclination was to cancel the pickup - but instead it remained on the calendar.  (Granted, not as much time was available to work on closets, basement, etc.)   Last night, it was probably good for me to expend frustration by loading boxes and lawn bags with discards.  Not only did the discards lessen the "stuff" in our home - but they will benefit others.  That actually feels good.  (And so much easier than coordinating a rummage sale.)  Of course, there's the added benefit of a tax deduction!   

So - today's tip - keep moving forward!  Every day, we're either moving closer toward or further from our target (whatever the target may be.)  "Baby steps" toward the desired outcome are far better than standing still. 

In just a short amount of time, here's a sampling of what was bagged/boxed and taken away this afternoon:

A desk, a floor lamp, several paintings, 2 large pieces of wall art, 2 large bookcases, a VCR, small television, mirrored dressing table, several large bags of MY clothes, school supplies, home decor, a vaccum, books, movies, toys, linens, etc. These items were all contributed to a ministry, ultimately benefitting a 20 member team heading to the Honduras this summer.  (I have another week to make another "clean sweep" through the basement in hopes of helping a bit more!)  

A "win-win" - the ministry picked the donated items up, I never left the house. 
The unnecessary clutter is not just eliminated, but will benefit others longterm.  


Bonus:  A fun little "organizational style" inventory is available at: 
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/quiz/?psrc=R1201BSI5644R391SP

check it out for a few storage tips - combatible with your style
(my result was perfectionist librarian...hmmm)


 

"Coupon Clutter"

Valassis (NYSE: VCI), one of USA’s leading media and marketing services companies, recently reported that shoppers saved $4.6 billion with coupons in 2011.  This was a $500 million increase over 2010.  The significant upswing is largely attributed to the mindset adopted during times of recession. 

We are all aware a recession has infiltrated our culture.  Many have been unfavorably affected by the economy. Those of us who haven’t – can likely name a number of friends/family who have suffered extended job loss, significant hits to their wallet, changes in real estate ownership and of course – emotional turmoil that results from the added stress of income reduction or even frequent dismal news reports. 

We are blessed – my husband has remained consistently employed.  Commissions may be down  - but income has at least been steady.   Sadly, it’s easy to adapt a dismissive mindset when one’s world has not been rocked by the perils of unemployment.  Even though we have friends and family who are among the nightly financial statistics, we can slip into financial ambivalence.  I’m not pointing fingers here – except at “myself.”

A few years ago, when my children were all still “children” – and my primary occupation was “stay at home Mom” -  I was a coupon fiend!   More than once, the person who lined up behind me at Publix/Kroger regretted their presumption.  Sure, my cart may have given the impression that the transaction was almost complete; what they didn’t notice was the stack of coupons in the hands of the cashier.   Oh yeah – I know what it means to be a “Coupon Queen.” 

Now, no longer with “little ones” in the home – my “outside the home calling” necessitates a significant number of available hours in a day.  (No complaints – I love it – and it’s exactly where I should be!)  Ironically, now it seems easier to spend funds out of convenience.  Honestly, some days –   it’s not convenience, but simply pure exhaustion.  Lately, my lax spending has convicted me.

 At times it seems current shopping habits negate  any “financial benefit” of the present calling.   As someone who prides herself on never spending full price for clothes and accessories – my frugality has grown slack in the weekly necessities.   OUCH.    

Tonight’s organizational endeavor is tied to COUPONS!  Quick google searches have resulted in numerous “methods” for categorizing grocery coupons.  With complete transparency, this is not a brand new conviction.  In late fall, when hubby and I got away for a week, the accumulation of coupons (including the expired ones) were packed and transported, with the greatest of organizational intentions.  OOPS – a few were “clipped” while at the beach – but attention was immediately turned to one of the several “Christian growth” books that were in the same bag!  (That’s one issue – biting off more than one could conceivably chew – even on VACATION!) 

So, in the same spirit of “transparency” – here’s a photo of my actual, current coupon collection – providing absolutely no financial benefit while expired and stuffed in a bag! UGH .

 An “After” photo will follow… in the meantime; assume this is what’s happening at the Holley Home:    Coupon Reorg  101!!!!  (Most likely with a movie in the background – organizing must be enjoyable to be sustained!)

• Organizing coupons by category and expiration date – in a large binder with baseball card sleeves (all purchased pre-November vacation!) 
• Discarding any and all coupons that reached expiration prior to NOW
• Duplicates placed in the same “card sleeve” – with the coupon expiring first – on top 

It’s about time this long-overdue and “unnoticed by others” project reaches completion (or at least commences!)   Why should ANYONE pay more than necessary for groceries?  DUH! 

We could ALL find better, more rewarding ways to spend those dollars!